Current Affairs November 28, 2017

NATIONAL

PM Narendra Modi to unveil statue of social reformer Sri Ramanujacharya

On the occasion of Ramanujacharya’s Sahasrabdi 1000 years anniversary, Telangana state government planned to unveil a humongous statue of the veteran social reformer. The height of the statue is 216 foot.

The officials planned to title ‘Statue of Equality,’ which would showcase his first stand against all forms of discrimination. It will be located near Rajiv Gandhi International Airport.

India and Russia inks for Anti-Terror Pact

India and Russia have signed anti-terror pact agreement for enhancing bilateral cooperation in tackling all forms of terrorism.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Russia’s Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev in Moscow signed the agreement.This agreement will help in expanding and deepening cooperation on issues related to internal security.

Russia

Capital: Moscow

Currency: Ruble

Prime Minister: Dmitry Medvedev

International Ambedkar Conclave inaugurated by President of India

The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind inaugurated the International Ambedkar Conclave. The conclave is organised by the Forum of SC and ST Legislators and Parliamentarians, in New Delhi.

Dr Ambedkar is considered the Chief Architect, because he has given our democracy a strong framework.

Fifteenth Finance Commission lead by Shri. N.K.Singh

The Government of India, with the approval President of India, has constituted Fifteenth Finance Commission in pursuance of clause (1) of article 280 of the Constitution. The Commission will make recommendations for the five years commencing on April 1, 2020.

This Commission will be headed by Shri. N.K.Singh, former Member of Parliament and former Secretary to the Government of India. Shri Arvind Mehta shall be the Secretary to the Commission.

Most Visited Place of the World: Golden Temple

The Golden Temple has been awarded the ‘most visited place of the world’. The award is given by ‘World Book of Records’ (WBR), a London-based organisation.

Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) President Kirpal Singh Badungarhe honoured the WBR team with ‘siropas’ and a model of the Golden Temple.

Sri Harmandir Sahib, also known as Golden Temple is the most important pilgrimage site of Sikhism. It is located in the city of Amritsar, Punjab.

INTERNATIONAL

South Africa’s Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters wins Miss Universe crown

Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters was crowned during the event at The AXIS theatre at Planet Hollywood casino-resort on the Las Vegas Strip. She represented South Africa.

The runner-up was Miss Colombia Laura Gonzalez, while the second runner-up was Miss Jamaica Davina Bennett.

South Africa

Capital: Pretoria, Cape Town, Bloemfontein

Currency: South African rand

President: Jacob Zuma

ADB to assist a 150 million USD loan to Nepal

The Asian Development Bank will provide a 150 million USD loan to Nepal to improve its urban infrastructure.Shankar Prasad Adhikari, Secretary at the Ministry of Finance, and ADB country director Mukhtor Khamaudkhanov signed the agreement.

The project is targeted to complete within five years and the objective of project is to enhance urban infrastructure in the Terai region.Already, ADB announced that it will provide USD 152 million to Nepal for the implementation and enhancement of its power transmission and distribution.

ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK

Headquarters: Mandaluyong, Philippines

President: Takehiko Nakao

India assist Mauritius on Digital Locker

The Government of India will assist Mauritius to develop and set up digital locker services. It will offer technical support and advisory services to Mauritius.

Ajay Kumar, Additional Secretary, Ministry of electronics and IT, said, the Government of India will assist Mauritius to develop and set up digital locker services under its flagship Digital India program.

Digital India is a campaign launched by the Government of India to ensure that Government services are made available to citizens electronically by improved online infrastructure and by increasing Internet connectivity or by making the country digitally empowered in the field of technology.

It was launched on 2 July 2015 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Mauritius

Capital: Port Louis

Currency: Mauritian rupee

Prime Minister: Pravind Jugnauth

President: Ameenah Gurib

APPOINTMENTS

Karen Pierce appointed as Britain’s new Ambassador to the UN

Britain appointed Karen Pierce as its new Ambassador to the UN. At present she is the Director-General Political at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. She replaces Matthew Rycroft.

Pierce is the first woman appointed as ambassador to UN. She had previously served as Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN in New York and UN in Geneva.

UNITED NATIONS

Headquarters: New York,U.S

Secretary general: António Guterres

SPORTS

Ravichandran Ashwin completes 300 Test wickets in 54 Matches, breaks Lillee’s record

India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin became the fastest bowler to reach the milestone of 300 Test wickets. He did this record in his 54th match, during India’s win over Sri Lanka in the second Test.

Australian fast bowling legend Lillee had reached the milestone in 56 Test matches.

Ashwin is only the fifth Indian bowler to complete a career 300 wickets in Test cricket behind Anil Kumble (619), Kapil Dev (434), Harbhajan Singh (417) and Zaheer Khan (311).

Srikanth, Sindhu wins top awards by Indian Sports Honours held in Mumbai

Ace shuttler Kidambi Srikanth bagged the Sportsman of the Year award at the inaugural edition of Indian Sports Honours held in Mumbai.He won four Super Series titles in 2017.

Olympic silver medallist PV Sindhu was the Sportswoman of the Year award in the individual sport category.

Ravichandran Ashwin awarded as Sportsman of the Year award while women’s cricket team skipper Mithali Raj was awarded Sportswoman of the Year award in the Team Sport category.

Star Tennis player Sania Mirza was awarded the Inspirational Honour, country’s first Olympic gold medallist Abhinav Bindra was honoured with the Transformational Contribution to Sport award.

The Indian Women’s Cricket Team, which ended as runners-up in the ICC Women’s World Cup, were named as the Team of the Year.

India Clinched Three Medals at U-23 World Wrestling Championship

Indian wrestlers Bajrang Punia, Vinod Kumar clinched silver medals at U-23 World Wrestling Championship. Already Ritu Phogat clinched silver medal two days back. The event held in was held in Poland.

Asian champion Bajrang Punia got silver medal after losing to Russian grappler Kuular in the 65kg category. While Vinod Kumar lost to American Richard Lewis to get silver medal at the event.

OBITUARY

Veteran Malayalam actor T. Vasanthi passes away

Popular Film actor Thodupuzha Vasanthi passed away. Vasanthi has acted in over 450 films.

Some of her most popular films include, Yavanika, Poochakkoru Mookkuthi — directed by Priyadarshan, Nirakootu and Godfather to name a few.